July 13, 2020, my husband’s birthday, we received letters from my Mom and newspaper clippings from papers I had not seen. 62 years after the accident. (I believe I have gotten everything just when I needed it) As I try to stay in a time line of sorts, I want to tell you about the letter my Mom wrote to my Grandma Bennett (her Mom) the week before the trip.

My Mom was busy preparing for the vacation they were taking. She talked about my Dad working on the car and getting it ready to go. She talked about catching up on laundry and ironing. My Mom and Cheri went to church. Cheri tore her dress and my Mom had to repair it. My Mom said she was so thankful not to have company or have to go anywhere because they all seemed to be on the warpath that day. I loved the normalcy of that statement. Just reading about the normal life things we do and picturing my Mom as a real person was heart warming for me.

My Mom also mentioned being invited to club at the neighbor’s home, Faye Young. (That was sweet because my Grandma and I moved into my parents house when I was 3 years old. Faye and Lawrence Young were my neighbors my whole life. They were so good to me.) Lawrence was a pallbearer for my Dad and their 2 sons were pallbearers for my sister.

Remember I was just 3 1/2 months old at this time. One of the most fun parts of her letter was when she talks about “Janet” catnapping and ready to wake up. Then she goes on to say that she isn’t sure what is going on with “Janet” she thinks she will take me in to the doctor just to be sure before the trip. Later, after an appointment, she adds that I am fine and have a little colic. Nothing of concern. But what I loved most is reading my Mom’s own words about ME!! Such simple things but I still can’t really describe the feeling of reading those words. (And a side note: I had to think about it because she didn’t call me Janie. My entire family calls me Janie. That’s who I am!! I realized my Aunt Janet had not come into our lives yet. Once she married my Uncle Dick I was Janie!)

Another part of my Mom’s letter was about my Aunt’s graduation. It rained a lot and she was concerned about getting me out to the farm if it was too muddy. Then she said that she guessed she would take me to my Aunt Dee’s house in McCook if they couldn’t get to the farm. I am so blessed to have been able to talk about this with my Aunt Dee. She said she thought about it many times. I don’t think I ever knew or thought about what a responsibility that had to be on her heart. But again these letters came when I needed them because her and I put it all out there and talked about all the important things. She passed away on Good Friday this year and my heart was so at peace. I know she is in heaven and I know we left nothing unsaid. What a blessing!

It has been interesting as I have shared with different people about this adventure we are going on. I have gotten every reaction you can imagine. And I understand them all. Especially from those who were around when this happened. But we are really excited. I will post next week about some of the stops and places we hope to go to. Places Jay and I might not have ventured out to. Please if you have traveled or even lived along the Northern West Coast, I would love your input. We are open to more than just the road they traveled. I have looked at my Atlas for 9 months now and shared it with anyone who is willing. HAHA I am so ready for next weekend and for the adventure to begin.